RB James has sprained MCL, will miss at least 2 games

LaMichael James will begin his second season where his rookie year began: on the sideline.

The 49ers running back sustained a sprained medial collateral ligament in his left knee during a 41-6 win over the Chargers on Thursday night in the preseason finale, a league source said. James has a Grade 2 sprain and is expected be sidelined three to four weeks, the Sacramento Bee reported. If that timeline is accurate, James will miss a minimum of two regular-season games.

Without James, Frank Gore and Kendall Hunter will split carries in the backfield, with Anthony Dixon possibly being in line for some action. It’s likely that wide receiver Kyle Williams will return punts with James sidelined. Williams, who was listed as the team’s backup punt returner on the team’s unofficial preseason depth chart, averaged 13.0 yards on four returns when Ted Ginn missed the first three games of 2012.

Williams did not play in the preseason, but has been practicing without restrictions. The 49ers took a cautious approach this summer with Williams returning from a torn ACL he sustained in late November.

If the 49ers want to ease Williams into the regular season, another punt-return candidate is Perrish Cox, who is expected to make the team as the No. 5 cornerback. At Oklahoma State, Cox averaged 11.6 yards on 60 returns and scored two touchdowns. He appeared very comfortable in that role in the preseason and averaged 12.0 yards on three returns.

Williams, rookie wide receiver Quinton Patton and Cox are candidates to return kickoffs, a role in which James excelled last year, averaging 29.8 yards on 14 returns.

James, who was inactive for the first 12 games of his rookie season, had 55 yards on 24 carries (2.3 yards per carry) during the preseason. Last year, the 2012 second-round pick had 190 yards on 38 carries (5.0) and a 15-yard touchdown run in the NFC Championship Game.

San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Chuck Jacobs, left, celebrates with teammate wide receiver Quinton Patton after Jacobs scored a touchdown against the San Diego Chargers during the second half of an NFL preseason football game, Thursday, Aug. 29, 2013, in San Diego. less

San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Chuck Jacobs, left, celebrates with teammate wide receiver Quinton Patton after Jacobs scored a touchdown against the San Diego Chargers during the second half of an NFL ... more

Photo: Lenny Ignelzi / Associated Press

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San Francisco 49ers head coach Jim Harbaugh laughs as the 49ers play the San Diego Chargers during the second half of an NFL preseason football game, Thursday, Aug. 29, 2013, in San Diego.

San Francisco 49ers head coach Jim Harbaugh laughs as the 49ers play the San Diego Chargers during the second half of an NFL preseason football game, Thursday, Aug. 29, 2013, in San Diego.

Photo: Lenny Ignelzi / Associated Press

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San Francisco 49ers running back LaMichael James, left, is hauled down by San Diego Chargers linebacker Frank Beltre, right, during the first half of an NFL preseason football game, Thursday, Aug. 29, 2013, in San Diego. less

San Francisco 49ers running back LaMichael James, left, is hauled down by San Diego Chargers linebacker Frank Beltre, right, during the first half of an NFL preseason football game, Thursday, Aug. 29, 2013, in ... more

Photo: Lenny Ignelzi / Associated Press

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The San Francisco 49ers line up to start a play against the San Diego Chargers during the second half of an NFL preseason football game, Thursday, Aug. 29, 2013, in San Diego.

The San Francisco 49ers line up to start a play against the San Diego Chargers during the second half of an NFL preseason football game, Thursday, Aug. 29, 2013, in San Diego.

Photo: Denis Poroy / Associated Press

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San Diego Chargers quarterback Brad Sorensen, above throws under pressure from San Francisco 49ers linebacker Joe Holland during the second half of an NFL preseason football game, Thursday, Aug. 29, 2013, in San Diego. less

San Diego Chargers quarterback Brad Sorensen, above throws under pressure from San Francisco 49ers linebacker Joe Holland during the second half of an NFL preseason football game, Thursday, Aug. 29, 2013, in ... more

Photo: Denis Poroy / Associated Press

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San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Chuck Jacobs (1) celebrates his touchdown as teammate fullback Jason Schepler (45) looks on while playing the San Diego Chargers during the second half of an NFL preseason football game, Thursday, Aug. 29, 2013, in San Diego. less

San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Chuck Jacobs (1) celebrates his touchdown as teammate fullback Jason Schepler (45) looks on while playing the San Diego Chargers during the second half of an NFL preseason ... more

Photo: Denis Poroy / Associated Press

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San Francisco 49ers quarterback B.J. Daniels runs upfield while playing the San Diego Chargers during the second half of an NFL preseason football game, Thursday, Aug. 29, 2013, in San Diego.

San Francisco 49ers quarterback B.J. Daniels runs upfield while playing the San Diego Chargers during the second half of an NFL preseason football game, Thursday, Aug. 29, 2013, in San Diego.

Photo: Lenny Ignelzi / Associated Press

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San Francisco 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick (7) runs off the field after the 49ers beat the San Diego Chargers 41-6 in a pre-season NFL football game at Qualcomm Stadium Thursday, Aug. 29, 2013 in San Diego. less

San Francisco 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick (7) runs off the field after the 49ers beat the San Diego Chargers 41-6 in a pre-season NFL football game at Qualcomm Stadium Thursday, Aug. 29, 2013 in San ... more

Photo: DENIS POROY / Associated Press

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Head Coach Jim Harbaugh of the San Francisco 49ers tosses the ball to Colin Kaepernick #7 before a preseason game against the San Diego Chargers at Qualcomm Stadium on August 29, 2013 in San Diego, California.

Head Coach Jim Harbaugh of the San Francisco 49ers tosses the ball to Colin Kaepernick #7 before a preseason game against the San Diego Chargers at Qualcomm Stadium on August 29, 2013 in San Diego, California.

Photo: Harry How / Getty Images

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Colin Kaepernick #7 of the San Francisco 49ers laughs as he returns to the locker room after a warm up before a preseason game against the San Diego Chargers at Qualcomm Stadium on August 29, 2013 in San Diego, California. less

Colin Kaepernick #7 of the San Francisco 49ers laughs as he returns to the locker room after a warm up before a preseason game against the San Diego Chargers at Qualcomm Stadium on August 29, 2013 in San ... more

Photo: Harry How / Getty Images

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Frank Gore #21 of the San Francisco 49ers warms up before a preseason game against the San Diego Chargers at Qualcomm Stadium on August 29, 2013 in San Diego, California.

Frank Gore #21 of the San Francisco 49ers warms up before a preseason game against the San Diego Chargers at Qualcomm Stadium on August 29, 2013 in San Diego, California.

Photo: Harry How / Getty Images

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Anthony Dixon #24 of the San Francisco 49ers dives for the endzone for a touchdown as he is hit by Sean Cattouse #40 of the San Diego Chargers during a preseason game at Qualcomm Stadium on August 29, 2013 in San Diego, California. less

Anthony Dixon #24 of the San Francisco 49ers dives for the endzone for a touchdown as he is hit by Sean Cattouse #40 of the San Diego Chargers during a preseason game at Qualcomm Stadium on August 29, 2013 in ... more

Photo: Harry How / Getty Images

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Vance McDonald #89 of the San Francisco 49ers leaves his feet to avoid a tackle in front of Andrew Gachkar #59 of the San Diego Chargers during the first quarter of a preseason game at Qualcomm Stadium on August 29, 2013 in San Diego, California. less

Vance McDonald #89 of the San Francisco 49ers leaves his feet to avoid a tackle in front of Andrew Gachkar #59 of the San Diego Chargers during the first quarter of a preseason game at Qualcomm Stadium on ... more

Photo: Harry How / Getty Images

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Lavelle Hawkins #4 of the San Francisco 49ers eludes the tackle of Jahleel Addae #37 and Dan Molls #49 of the San Diego Chargers to score a touchdown for a 34-6 lead during the fourth quarter of a preseason game at Qualcomm Stadium on August 29, 2013 in San Diego, California. less

Lavelle Hawkins #4 of the San Francisco 49ers eludes the tackle of Jahleel Addae #37 and Dan Molls #49 of the San Diego Chargers to score a touchdown for a 34-6 lead during the fourth quarter of a preseason ... more